Mother is also unwell.. Correcting Maithri's textual errors, Anura, the President, please forgive me - Gnanasara Thero

Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, Secretary General of the Bodu Bala Sena organization, who had completed a six-year prison sentence in a short period of 7 months due to a presidential pardon granted by former President Maithripala Sirisena after being accused of contempt of court for interrupting a case being heard at the Homagama court regarding the disappearance of Prageeth Ekneligoda, went missing recently after the Supreme Court nullified that decision.

Subsequently, on the 17th, he had visited the Mahanayake Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, and later, on the 18th, he also appeared before the Colombo High Court in connection with another case filed by the Attorney General regarding statements made in a manner that insults Islam. High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala ordered that the case be recalled on September 30th.

After the Supreme Court's decision, a group of prison officials went to the temple where Gnanasara Thero resides, located on Nawala Road, Rajagiriya, but reports stated that no information was received about his whereabouts. However, Gnanasara Thero's side rejected these reports, emphasizing that officials did not visit the temple and that news of him hiding was false. Meanwhile, the police have stated that they are awaiting the full Supreme Court judgment regarding the decision to revoke the presidential pardon before taking further action.

Yesterday (20), participating in the launch ceremony of his book '9.5 Vikruthiya' held at the Sambuddhatva Jayanthi Mandiraya in Thummulla, Colombo, Gnanasara Thero made a special request to the Maha Sangha. He stated that the Maha Sangha should request current President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to correct the administrative errors made by officials when the former president granted him a presidential pardon, and to grant him a presidential pardon again according to the correct procedure. Declaring that he bows to the law in accordance with the Buddha's teachings and the discipline of the country, he pointed out that if any error occurred in the procedure, the responsibility lies with the officials, and therefore, it is unfair to take revenge on him for it.

He said that he is not afraid to be imprisoned again, but such actions would discourage young monks who stand up for the country and the Sasana in the future. He sorrowfully stated that in the face of the uncertain situation he is facing, he even feels like performing a "jeeva pansukula" (a ritual for the living, usually done for the deceased) for himself in front of his 87-year-old mother. The Anunayake Thero of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, Professor Venerable Kotapitiye Rahula Thero, the Maha Lekhakadhikari of the Asgiri Chapter, Venerable Medagama Dhammananda Thero, and many other members of the Maha Sangha, as well as politicians and civil society representatives, participated in the launch of this book.

After the court orders are issued, he is to be taken back to prison and is expected to serve a prison sentence of approximately five and a half years there.